durkheim

durkheim

says crime is essential in working society, it is inevitable and we see it in every society and occurs where you have weaker consensus

functionalism

says that society works really well

positive functions

5 positive things that crime does for society

boundary maintenance

when a major crime is committed society pulls together and binds the rest of society and reminds people how bad it is AKA social cohesion

adaptation and change

crime can lead to social progress and change. it points out an issue that exists so it can be fixed e.g. suffragette movement

safety valve

if we commit crime, we can let out aggression and then be good people again e.g. men being with prostitutes so they can be better husbands

warning device

crime will warn you that there is something wrong with society like high levels of truancy leading to improving education

employment

crime creates employment opportunities for people in the justice system like police and lawyers

criticisms

doesn't discuss what level or type of crime is acceptable in society
doesn't explain why people do crime
ignores how people are affected by crime as it may be dysfunctional and inspire copy cats

marxists

would argue that this ignores levels of conflict and inequality and how some people are affected more by crime like lower classes